Mass Effect 3’s First Details

If you’re a subscriber to Game Informer you should be expecting the monthly mag’s next issue any day now which features a cover story on BioWare’s Mass Effect 3. However, as these things tend to happen, people that have received the magazine have already leaked its contents onto the interwebs for everyone to read — subscribers or not. So before we begin digging into the juicy details of Mass Effect 3, let’s first give a shout-out to Game Informer for being the source of such the information.

OK, so Mass Effect 3 is coming out this holiday season and will wrap up BioWare’s space opera epic. The mag reports that Mass Effect 3 picks up directly where “The Arrival” DLC left off (making me look like a fool for saying it isn’t a necessary pick-up). Shepard is stationed on Earth on trail for what he did at the conclusion of the Arrival (I'm avoiding spoilers in case you still plan to play the DLC). Then right in the middle of the hearing the Reapers start their invasion. The entire beginning of the game has players controlling Shepard as he tries to escape the hearing and get back to his ship, the Normandy, to get off Earth — gunning down plenty of Reaper husks in the process.

Game Informer confirms that Mass Effect 3 will feature squadmates Garrus, Liara, Kaiden or Ashley (depending on your choice from ME1). Wrex, Mordin, Legion and Anderson will also appear as non-party members, assuming they’re still alive by the end of your Mass Effect 2 save game. Cerberus will also be gunning for Shepard in Mass Effect 3, with The Illusive Man playing a vital role in this three-quel.

For those who never played Mass Effect 1 or 2, but want to take a crack at the franchise with ME3, the game will come with a “Previously on Mass Effect” motion comic that allows you to make the important choices of the first two games leading into Mass Effect 3. This will probably be done in the exact same fashion as the motion comic found in the PS3 version of Mass Effect 2.

For the RPG faithful, know that the role-playing elements in Mass Effect 3 will be beefed up. You’ll have more control over your character’s abilities, their skill trees and powers will evolve multiple times over the course of the game. Characters will also be able to use all types of weapons, no matter what class they are. The only thing stopping them from picking up a weapon will be their inventory capacity. Weapons will also be customizable with barrels, scopes and more.

Finally, don’t buy Mass Effect 3 expecting multiplayer. You won’t find it… thankfully. BioWare is committed to making ME3 a kickass single player experience, that is all. This is great news. However, BioWare did tell Game Informer that they’re looking into incorporating multiplayer with future titles.

Mass Effect 3 is expected to release this holiday for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.